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Today is the launch of the 8th Research Awards Jes\u00fas Serra, a Fundaci\u00f3n Occident initiative to recognise excellence in research in nutrition, food and health<\/strong>. They are targeted at young researchers<\/strong> working in centres, universities and hospitals in Spain who have made significant contributions<\/strong> in nutrition, food and health, drawing from a wide range of disciplines such as clinical nutrition and metabolism, genetics and molecular biology, epidemiology, oncology, cardiology, food science and technology and more.<\/p>\n Every year, the awards recognise the careers and research projects<\/strong> of two scientists who investigate the impact of diet and nutrient metabolism in preventing and treating diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular and neurological conditions. The\u00a0 Research Awards Jes\u00fas Serra are given in two categories \u2013 basic research and clinical research<\/strong> \u2013 with a prize of \u20ac50,000<\/strong> each.<\/p>\n Candidates must have been working in Spain for at least three years and must not have reached the age of 46 by the application deadline<\/strong>. However, in keeping with Fundaci\u00f3n Occident\u2019s commitment to gender equity, this age limit may be extended for those who have interrupted their careers due to the birth or adoption of children and their care during the early months of life.<\/p>\n The call for entries for the\u00a0 Research Awards Jes\u00fas Serra closes on 28 April 2026 at 14:00 CET<\/strong>. Applications can be submitted in Spanish or English through the website https:\/\/www.fundacionoccident.org\/premios-investigacion<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the second year running, the call for entries also includes the Special Award for Science Communication Federico Halpern<\/strong>, which recognises the work of journalists, communicators, researchers and content creators who contribute to rigorous and impactful communication on advances in food, nutrition and health research.<\/p>\n Two awards worth \u20ac5,000 in total will be presented, one in the traditional media category and the other in the new formats category. Unlike the Research Awards Jes\u00fas Serra, candidates for these outreach prizes are nominated by third parties. Specifically, nominations may be submitted by researchers from research<\/strong> centres and universities<\/strong> in Spain, journalists working in a Spanish media outlet<\/strong> and, thanks to the support of the Spanish Association of Science Communication (AEC2) and the National Association of Health Journalists (ANIS)<\/strong>, by the members<\/strong> of these organisations.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year we introduced this award to fulfil our mission,\u201d says Laura Halpern, Chair of Fundaci\u00f3n Occident. \u201cWe seek not only to acknowledge high-quality research in food, nutrition and health but also to ensure that this research is communicated to society accurately and clearly, thereby increasing its impact on patients, healthcare professionals and the public.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Candidates for the Special Award can also be nominated until 28 April 2026 at 14:00 CET via the awards website https:\/\/www.fundacionoccident.org\/premios-investigacion<\/a>.<\/p>\n2nd Special Award for Science Communication Federico Halpern<\/strong><\/h2>\n